Pep Guardiola was right to call for substitutions rule change but Man City boss is no hypocrite

Pep Guardiola has been called many things during his illustrious career; genius, innovator, legend and - by those who have nothing better to do than try and discredit a man who has won it all - a fraud.

However, in recent months the Manchester City boss has been labelled as something you wouldn't expect for a man who is renowned for sticking to his word: a hypocrite.

The MEN understands that Premier League clubs are set to perform a U-turn and agree to allow five substitutions per team from the start of next season. It's understood that clubs will vote on the issue at a Premier League stakeholders meeting in London on Friday, after several attempts to introduce a permanent five subs rule have been knocked down over the past two years.

READ MORE: Manchester United and Man City set to be granted substitutions wish in dramatic Premier League U-turn

The move will no doubt please City and Guardiola, as the Catalan coach - along with the likes of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - has long been calling for the rule change. The Premier League remains the only 'top five' European league not to have increased permitted substitutions from three to five, something that has baffled Pep.

"The welfare of players should be the most important... This is the only country to not accept five substitutions, just three. Why?" he questioned in December.

Guardiola is of course right. After the temporary introduction of five substitutions during Project Restart in 2020 was scrapped for the 2020/21 season, there has been a noticeable increase in injuries. This season things have come to ahead, with Covid-19 enforced postponements creating packed schedules that allow little time for rest and recuperation between matches.

Last season City played 61